U.S. Department Of Education May Issue New Guidance on Charters and Special Education

According to Education Daily, the recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on public charter schools and special education has prompted U.S. Rep. George Miller, D-California, to call on the Senate to pass a charter school bill adopted last year by the House. "The bill requires charter schools to have recruitment and enrollment practices that promote inclusion, retention, and engage students with limited opportunities to attend charter schools," he said. U.S. Department of Education innovation and improvement chief James Shelton said new forthcoming guidelines may include "charter schools' obligations regarding recruitment, admissions, provision of a free appropriate public education, and accessibility." According to National Association of Charter School Authorizers President Greg Richmond, "Improving access and services for students with disabilities is a shared responsibility, requiring not only action by charter schools but also state education agencies that make sure charter schools get the necessary resources and supports, and authorizers who must actively monitor what's happening."